Are Mormons Christians?

Ever so often, Muslims bring in other groups into the argument which do not agree with orthodox Christianity. For example, Mormons sanctioned polygamy (at some time), they have "other Bible versions (some Muslims say) and other topics are mentioned.

The issue is that Mormons are irrelevant to the argument since they are not Christians. It would be similar to draw conclusions about Islam from the teachings of the Bahai which are a split off group of Islam, but too different to be called Muslims any longer.

Mormons in particular are polytheists. They have only one god ... for every planet. So, only one god for good old earth, but given the many planets, there is room for many more gods, and in fact, the goal is that we all become gods eventually, and the god of earth also was a man at some time. More detailed info from a friend:

I'm not an expert by any means, but as a former Mormon, I am more familiar with the religion than some.

In April 1844, Joseph Smith taught his followers:

"In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p, 349; History of the Church 6:308)

"I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express purpose. I wish to declare I have always and in all congregations when I have preached on the subject of Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached to the Elders for fifteen years." (June 16, 1844, ibid, p. 370)

"...they, that is the Gods, organized and formed the heavens and the earth." (Abraham 4:1; also see 4:2-29)

This idea is consistent with this revelation given to Joseph Smith dated March 20, 1839. Doctrine and Covenants 121:32 (part of the Standard Works or writings officially recognized as scripture) states:

"...according to that which was ordained in the midst of the Council of the Eternal God of all other gods before this world was, that should be reserved unto the finishing and end thereof, when every man shall enter into his eternal presence and into his immortal rest."

Mormonism teaches that Heavenly Father is a God, Jesus Christ is a God, and the Holy Ghost is a God. These three were not always Gods, but evolved through a process called Eternal Progression into Gods. Humans, being the literal (meaning sexual) offspring of Heavenly Father, have an opportunity to progress along the same path and may eventually become gods (like Heavenly Father is God) themselves. An official Church teaching manual, "Achieving a Celestial Marriage", contains these statements:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that man is an eternal being, made in the image and likeness of God. It also holds that man is a literal child of God and has the potential, if faithful to divine laws and ordinances, of becoming like his heavenly parent. These truths are generally well understood by Latter-day Saints.

"Less well understood, however, is the fact that God is an exalted man who once lived on an earth and underwent experiences of mortality. The Prophet Joseph Smith refers to this as "the great secret." (Times and Seasons 5:613 [15 Aug 1844]. See also Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345.) The progression of our Father in Heaven to godhood, or exaltation, was strictly in accordance with eternal principles, "for he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory." (D&C 88:22.)

"By definition, exaltation includes the ability to procreate that family unit throughout eternity. This our Father in heaven has power to do. His marriage partner is our mother in heaven. We are their spirit children, born to them in the bonds of celestial marriage." (p.129)

Section headings (in bold typeface) are these:

GOD WAS ONCE A MORTAL MAN
(1-2) He lived on an Earth like Our Own

(1-3) He Experienced Conditions Similar to Our Own and Advanced Step by Step

GOD IS NOW AND EXALTED MAN WITH POWERS OF ETERNAL INCREASE
(1-4) Our Father in Heaven Lives in an Exalted Marriage Relationship

(skipping)

MEN ARE GODS IN EMBRYO
(1-7) We Have the Potential to Become like Our Heavenly Parents

Though Mormonism uses the same terminology as orthodox Christianity, this terminology has been given entirely new meanings (which leads to most peoples' confusion concerning the status of Mormonism as a Christian religion.). Here is a link for Mormon terminology--though not exhaustive, it is helpful towards understanding the LDS faith.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~bcmmin/term.htm

I'd better hasten to add that not all Mormons may believe this, simply because they have never heard it. My own mother didn't know about the doctrine of Eternal Progression until I told her--and she had been a Mormon for over 20 years. Why this was the case, I don't know for certain. Partly, I think, because in Mormonism there is a concept of 'milk before meat' ie., you have to start with simple stuff and then as you become spiritually ready, you can move on to the 'meatier' doctrines. My mother was always a troublemaker, so to speak, so I suppose they figured she wasn't ready for it.

Further pages on Mormonism can be found on the various counter cult sites.



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